August has been a busy month for senior business appointments in Gloucestershire, from promotions at the very top of some of the county's most successful companies to a new board to oversee the running of key local business support.
SoGlos picks out eight of the most noteworthy in our monthly senior business appointments round-up.
Five senior promotions for Gloucester international accountants Azets
The Gloucester office of leading international accountants and business advisory, Azets, announced five key promotions in its senior team this August 2024.
Vanessa Clark, who has over 20 years of experience providing private client tax advice, has been promoted to partner having previously been a tax director for the business; while Ben Griffin (tax), Peter Reed (accounts and business advisory), Richard Watkins and Steve Burke (both audit and assurance) have been named directors, having previously held associate director positions in their respective areas of expertise.
International group Azets, established in 2016, provides a range of accounting, tax, audit, advisory and business services from its network of offices across the UK and Europe — including two in Gloucestershire.
WSP Solicitors strengthens senior team with two associate promotions
Gloucestershire law firm WSP Solicitors announced two associate promotions this August 2024, with Lisa Hope in the firm’s residential conveyancing department and family law solicitor, Louise Kelly, both being made associates in the firm.
Lisa is a qualified chartered legal executive with a wealth of experience and local property knowledge, while Louise is an accredited family law specialist across divorce, financial disputes and matters relating to children.
Established in 1758, WSP works across multiple practice areas including wills and probate, residential and commercial conveyancing, child law, divorce, non-court dispute resolution, litigation, employment and company commercial.
New CEO takes the reigns at Cheltenham Racecourse from 2025
National horseracing group The Jockey Club announced that experienced sports senior executive, Guy Lavender, will become the next CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse in 2025.
Guy, who is currently chief executive and secretary of Marylebone Cricket Club — owner of London's world-famous cricket ground, Lord's — will take over from current managing director at Cheltenham, Ian Renton, who has been responsible for the racecourse since 2012.
A lifelong horseracing enthusiast, Guy brings a wealth of experience from leading sports organisations, having previously served as London 2012 director for the South West of England; chief executive of Somerset County Cricket Club; and a committee member at The Jockey Club-owned Exeter Racecourse.
New board to oversee business growth in Gloucestershire
A new Economic Growth Board has been created by Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) this August 2024. The new body replaces the role of the former GFirst LEP board, with the UK's local enterprise partnerships being transferred to council control by central government earlier this year.
County councillor Mark Hawthorne will serve as chair, with partner at Hazlewoods, Ruth Dooley; managing director of Cinderford's AccXel Construction School, Nicola Bird; director of Business West for Gloucestershire, Ian Mean; senior development engineer at Cotswolds firm Renishaw, Lucy Ackland; and leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, Rowena Hay, all being appointed having previously served as GFirst LEP board members.
Joining them are county councillor David Gray; vice chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire, Clare Marchant; principal and chief executive of Gloucestershire College, Matthew Burgess; development manager of the Federation of Small Businesses for Gloucestershire, Sam Holliday; CEO of Cheltenham-based IT security firm Red Maple Technologies, Rob Stemp; managing director of Cheltenham-based Beards Jewellers, Alex Rose; and leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, Richard Stanley.
New partner at leading Cheltenham tax and advisory firm
Leading audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe UK appointed a new partner this August 2024, to propel its workforce advisory services 'to new heights'.
John Manis, who has more than 15 years of experience advising companies and employees on taxation and incentivisation, becomes a partner in the workforce advisory team at Crowe, which operates nationally with offices in Bristol, Cheltenham, Kent, London, Manchester, the Midlands and the Thames Valley.
A member of worldwide accountancy network Crowe Global, Crowe UK works with clients across a range of sectors, from capital markets, financial services and private wealth, to energy, technology and manufacturing.
Persimmon Homes adds new commercial director to its Severn Valley team
Newbuild specialist Persimmon Homes announced its newest hire, a commercial director within its Severn Valley team, this August 2024.
After 14 years in the business, Nick Lloyd has been promoted to oversee all the commercial operations, as well as the day-to-day management of the Severn Valley commercial team, which covers Bristol, Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Stroud.
Nick has worked in various roles at Persimmon Homes, including quantity surveyor, senior surveyor, advancing to chief surveyor prior to his new title. Before joining Persimmon, he held positions at Morgan Sindall Special Projects and other PLC developers such as Redrow and Barratt Homes.
New partner joins leading Gloucestershire accountants Hazlewoods
In what it describes as a 'significant' appointment for its tax team, Gloucestershire-based accountancy firm Hazlewoods is welcoming Tom Verity as its newest corporate tax partner.
After studying economics at university and training with BDO, Tom worked in a variety of organisations before going on to head up the regional tax team at Ernst & Young LLP in Reading.
A UK Top 35 independent accountant and business adviser, Hazlewoods has offices in Cheltenham, Staverton and Bristol and prides itself on its highly personal service and specialist sector expertise.
Senior reshuffle for leading Gloucestershire facilities firm Hewer FM
It's all change at the top of leading Gloucestershire facilities management company Hewer FM, with managing director (MD) Simon Hewer being appointed CEO this August 2024.
A senior reshuffle sees operations director Ian Haughton promoted to MD, with financial director Ian Leitch and heating director Stuart Hesk also becoming equal co-owners of the firm alongside Simon Hewer, Ian Haughton and Chris Yates.
Hewer FM is renowned throughout the region for delivering a range of heating and plumbing; electrical; and renewable energy services, from design and installation to repair and maintenance for domestic, commercial and industrial clients large and small.
